Melton Lions Golf Day raises the bar

It raised the highest amount to date, involved more sponsors than ever before, attracted 186 golfers from throughout the East Midlands and staged the most successful charity auction so far.

The annual tournament – a betterball stableford pairs competition – was the first of its kind ever to take place at Melton Golf Club back in 1993.

Since then it has already raised a grand total of £170,000, which has been spent to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in the Melton area, and Sunday’s £8,500 fundraising total will be spent in the same way.

The event has also gained a widespread reputation for offering one of the best prize tables in Leicestershire.

This helped draw players from Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire to join local golfers, including Melton GC members who paid to play their own course to support the Lions.

Duncan Bagshaw and Rob Pask won with 47 points, two clear of Scott Allison and Jonathan Wade who pushed Scott Cartwright and Malcolm Farrow into third on countback.

Glenn Price and Gerry Stephens were fourth with 43 points, and Jamie Orton and Phil Gray 42pts completed the top five.

Organiser for the past 25 years, Derek Whitehouse, said: “It was a fabulous way to celebrate our 25th anniversary and we are so grateful to everyone who took part or who supported us in any way.

“Special thanks must go to our wonderful sponsors Browning Suzuki, NFU Mutual, Pearces, Richard Barnes, The Melton Building Society, TTS Shipping and our tee sponsors, and companies who donated auction lots.

“Not forgetting Lions and friends for their hard work on the day and leading up to the tournament.”

Other prizewinners –

Best Ladies: Janet Bentley/Glynis Breward 39pts. Longest Drive (men): George Boddy, (ladies): Dee Hughes. Nearest-the-pin: (5th) Mark Bell, (7th) Gary Kitchen, (14th) Steve Dodman, (16th) Ettien Wilson. Nearest-the-pin-in-two: Tom Haig. Nearest White Line: Matt Allan. Putting: 1 Ben Catlin, 2 Stuart Rose.